Rolling on the river: The head of Main Street Skowhegan has a plan and a passion
Photo / Tim Greenway
Kristina Cannon, executive director of Main Street Skowhegan
Kristina Cannon, of North Anson, is executive director of Main Street Skowhegan. In her four years in the post, she’s brought new attention to the Kennebec River mill town, amping up its craft brew festival and raising thousands for its planned $5 million Run of River water park.
Mainebiz: How has growing up nearby informed your efforts?
Kristina Cannon: Growing up in the area, I was able to experience all this region has to offer, though I didn’t really appreciate it until I moved home after working in Boston. These days, I’m acutely aware that the Kennebec Valley is rich with natural resources — the river, fertile farmland, lakes, forests — that shaped Skowhegan’s history and will play a major role in our future. All of this informs how we tell Skowhegan’s story.
MB: What’s the most effective message about Skowhegan to people who don’t live here?
KC: From our former-jailhouse-turned grist mill to our orchard that’s regularly named one of the best in New England, our craft breweries that source locally, our hardworking cheesemakers and farmers that supply our restaurants and our bakery in a historic bank that has the world’s best scones, Skowhegan is a local food destination. Opportunities for outdoor recreation abound, too, especially in our downtown river gorge, the future home of the Run of River Whitewater Recreation Area, which will feature a whitewater park for paddling, surfing and tubing; a riverfront promenade; and 50 miles of trails.
MB: How have you sold residents on Run of River?
KC: It’s a tough thing to wrap your head around — I wasn’t sold initially either. After visiting several whitewater parks out west, I was blown away. I saw recently constructed market-rate condos and townhouses adjacent to whitewater parks; property values that had tripled; new restaurants and businesses catering to river enthusiasts; visitors and new residents flocking to these towns because they had transformed into places where people want to live, work and play. In Salida, Colo., the owner of the restaurant overlooking the whitewater park told me sales went from $600,000 annually to more than $4 million after it was built. Whitewater parks have revitalized other towns. Why not Skowhegan?
MB: What are your biggest victories?
KC: In 2018 the Skowhegan Moose Festival brought an estimated 6,000 people from all over the Northeast. We won a tourism marketing award, and we set a Guinness World Record for the most people moose-calling simultaneously. The success of the Skowhegan Craft Brew Festival continues to amaze me — this year 1,300 people attended and 20% of advance ticket sales were to non-Maine residents. And if you haven’t heard of Skijor Skowhegan, Google it. I’m most proud of the work we’re doing to ensure Run of River becomes a reality, because this is such an important project for Skowhegan. In addition to managing the logistics, we’ve raised nearly $200,000 in the last two years.
MB: What would you tell 2009 Kristina and where do you see yourself in 10 years?
KC: Looking back, I wouldn’t do anything differently. All of my steps led me to where I am today — doing work that I’m extremely passionate about. Ten years from now you’ll find me at our whitewater park surfing during my lunch break. I don’t know how to surf yet, but I’ll learn.
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